Photo by Chris Nicoll/USA TODAY Sports
By AARON CRANFORD
Real Salt Lake hasn’t had much to hang its hat on in 2015, but its hope for end-of-the-season silverware is still very much intact.
RSL advanced to the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup Tuesday after Aaron Maund headed in the game-winning goal in the 87th minute against the visiting LA Galaxy.
Both sides trotted out first team members and each had its opportunities to take the lead throughout the 90 minutes of play. Steven Gerrard made his competitive debut, and he almost found his first goal for the Galaxy in the 54th minute, but a save from Jeff Attinella kept the scoreline level.
Just before Gerrard’s attempt Joao Plata had an opportunity of his own on the other end, but he also couldn’t find the back of the net.
With the match seemingly destined for extra time, Luke Molholland sent in a cross from the right wing and Maund rose high, heading the ball into the far-right corner of the net — his first professional goal. Galaxy goalkeeper Brain Rowe stood still as the header flew by and the crowd erupted behind him.
The Galaxy must now turn right around and host the San Jose Earthquakes in MLS play on Friday, while RSL will host the Houston Dynamo the next day.
Who do you think will meet RSL in the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup (Houston Dynamo or Sporting Kansas City)? Think RSL can lift the trophy this year?
Share your thoughts below.
Just once I’d like to see the Galaxy make an effort in this competition. Let me rephrase that – just once I’d like to see Bruce Arena make an effort in this competition. I’m sure the guys on the field gave it some effort. Arena, on the other hand, just seems each year like he can’t put this competition in his rear view mirror fast enough.
Entertaining game. Even though both teams put out their best available lineups, the US Open Cup just seems to be uninteresting. It is not televised and there is very little coverage or fan fair. It is a shame that a competition with so much history just has never gotten it right.
As for the match, it was not the best quality soccer. LAG has some new pieces they are trying to fit in and just didn’t seem to be in rhythm. RSL has just had constant turnover in their lineup all year. This was another game missing at least 5 starters, including perhaps their 3 best players in Beckerman, Rimando and Saborio. This constant change of personnel and a coach who is trying to find his way is leading to a pretty terrible year. This was another game where RSL was just off. Luckily, they managed to pull out the result.
RSL- reminding everyone that they are amongst the elite class of the MLS.
RSL gettig it done in open cup. Nice work.
Looks like the Galaxy missed Omar in the middle.